Queen Margrethe II of Denmark was the villain behind a hate campaign against Islam and Muslims which culminated in the Danish Cartoon affair. At least that is what some Danish imams maintain. On 30 September 2005 the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten published twelve cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. According to the imams it was the Queen who instigated this when in April 2005 she urged the Danish people to resist Islam.

This allegation was made to Arab newspapers, officials and politicians by Danish imams, touring the Middle East nine months ago in order to stir up hatred and violence against Denmark. The imams claimed Margrethe had urged the Danes to fight the Muslim minority in the country.

This information was revealed last Summer by the Danish Foreign Ministry, which had been informed by Det Dansk-Egyptiske Dialoginstitut, the Danish-Egyptian Dialogue Institute. The imams also claimed that the Danish government and the Danish people were behind the hate campaign. Hanna Ziadeh, the media researcher for the Det Dansk-Egyptiske Dialoginstitut, said the imams’ aim was to make the entire Danish people responsible for the Muhammad cartoons.

The imams also told the Islamic world that their voice was excluded from the Danish media and that more “horrible reviles” against Islam were being planned in Denmark, including blasphemous films and threats to burn down mosques. Ziadeh said the information he gathered was only from about ten interviews given by the imams to as many large Middle Eastern newspapers. However, the imams talked to many more Arab media, including several TV stations. Only a small part of the false information which the imams spread in the Middle East is actually known in the West. Continue reading ““Danish Queen Masterminded Muhammad Cartoon Affair””→

“Allah conferred indeed a great favor on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (i.e., Muhammad-sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) from among themselves reciting unto them His Verses (i.e., the Qur’an ) and purifying them (from sins by their following him) and instructing them in the Book (i.e., the Qur’an ) and Wisdom (i.e., the Sunnah), while before that they had been in manifest error.” – The Qur’an 3:164.

The Qur’an and Sunnah are the only sources for tazkiyah. The Prophet Muhammad- sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam-is the purest of mankind in soul and his character was that of Qur’an. There is none who approaches him in this. For this reason he is the model for tazkiyah. Allah says:“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example to follow…” – The Qur’an 33:21.

The Prophet’s Companions and the rest of Salaf-us-Saliheen are also, as a whole, a fine model to follow in tazkiyah. There is no way of drawing closer to Allah except by adhering to what the Prophet Muhammad-sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam-came with.

Women in Islam (Submission)

Are men and women equal in God’s judgment?

The answer is different when it comes to God compared with traditional Islam. Every Westerner thinks that Islam is very chauvinistic and oppressive towards women. In Islam of today as practiced by most traditional sectarian Muslims, this is very true. However, in true Islam (Submission), as revealed in the Quran, nothing could be farther from the truth.

God treats men and women as spiritual equals., Quran 3:195 tells us :

“Their Lord responded to them: “I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you MALE OR FEMALE, YOU ARE EQUAL TO ONE ANOTHER………”

Many of the Muslim countries who claim to follow Islam are treating women as a second class citizens, and some of these women accepted this situation thinking that is what Islam (Submission in English) is advocating. As mentioned previously, God, in the Quran made a complete spiritual equality between men and women, See 3:195. Continue reading “Are men and women equal in God’s judgment?”→

The following are excerpts and quotations from well-known Sufi works presented along with corresponding beliefs from outside the fold of Islam. Relevant texts from the Qur’ân and the Sunnah are also quoted for the sake of comparison, so that Muslims may judge for themselves whether Sufi beliefs are Islamic or not. Each quotation is footnoted with the reference from which it is taken.

The Sufis claim: “The ways unto God are as numerous as the number of creatures in the world”. Ibn Mas’ood, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s) made a straight line on the ground with his hand, then he said, ‘This is the straight way of Allah.’ Then he made (short) line on each side of the straight line; then he said, ‘These (short) lines, each one has a Shaytaan inviting people to it.’ Then he recited the verse: meaning, ‘And this is My path straight. So follow it, and do not follow (other) ways, lest they lead you away from My path.’Continue reading “IN DEFIANCE OF THE QUR’AN AND The SUNNAH”→

Great Shirk: worshipping beings other than Allaah (proof all over Qur’ân)

Small Shirk: Riya

The Prophet (saw), “Should I not inform you of that which I fear for you even more than the dangers of dajjaal? It is the hidden shirk: A person stands to pray and he beautifies his prayer because he sees the people looking at him”. (Sahih; Sunan ibn Majah)

6. Breaking the fast of Ramadhan or not fasting in that month without a valid excuse.

Prophet (saw) said, “Islaam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, performing the prayers, paying the Zakah, making the pilgrimage to the house, and fasting the month of Ramadhan” (Sahih al-Jami # 2837)

7. Not performing the pilgrimage when one has the ability to do so (above hadith)

Britain Now Says Captives Can’t Sell Their Stories

LONDON, April 9 — After howls of protest from former military commanders, opposition politicians and relatives of service members who had been killed, Britain’s defense secretary, Des Browne, on Monday abruptly reversed a decision to allow some of the sailors and marines captured by Iran to sell their stories to the media.

(Babri Masjid and associated complex were totally destroyed on December 6, 1992.)

“Every civil building connected with Mahommedan tradition should be levelled to the ground without regard to antiquarian veneration or artistic predilection.” British Prime Minister Palmerston’s Letter No. 9 dated 9 October 1857, to Lord Canning, Viceroy of India, Canning Papers.

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‘One group of karsevaks blocked all entry points into Ayodhya to keep out central security forces, while another began to loot and burn Muslim homes’

Did the leaders know beforehand what was going to happen that afternoon? There can be no final answer to that question. Perhaps some did, others did not. Certainly one answer seems to emerge from our narrative, another from the likes of editor Chandan Mitra. Not that the leadership of the parivar comes off any better from Mitra’s graphic description of their behaviour during that crucial period when the attack on the mosque was mounted — the giggling political sanyasins, Uma Bharati and Ritambhara; Joshi overcome by the size of the mammoth crowd; Singhal, convinced that the karseva would go along expected lines and giving precise orders, to a crowd that could not care less, about how to wipe and clean the site of the projected temple; the moment of reckoning when the crowd goes berserk on seeing two karsevaks on the top of the domes of the mosque while the high command sat, ‘tense’, ‘sombre-faced’, ‘hopelessly sullen’, with faces like ‘grim death’; the lament of Rajendra Singh, the de facto supremo of the RSS, ‘the ministry is gone’; and finally the pathetic and belated attempts to calm down the crowd by the leaders taking turn in appealing to the karsevaks, while others like Acharya Dharmendra tried to interest an uninterested crowd in a bhajan.Continue reading “Black day of so called Indian Secularism”→

1. Druids: their Functions and Powers

Druidism

No trustworthy information regarding the religion of the pagan Irish comes to us from outside : whatever knowledge of it we possess is derived exclusively from the native literature. There were many gods, but no supreme god, like Zeus or Jupiter among the Greeks and Romans. There was little of prayer, and no settled general form of worship. There were no temples: but there were altars of some kind erected to idols or to the gods of the elements (the sun, fire, water, &c.), which must have been in the open air. The religion of the pagan Irish is commonly designated as Druidism: and in the oldest Irish traditions the druids figure conspicuously.

All the early colonists had their druids, who are mentioned as holding high rank among kings and chiefs. There were druids also in Gaul and Britain; but the Gaels of Ireland and Scotland were separated and isolated for many centuries from the Celtic races of Gaul; and thus their religious system, like their language, naturally diverged, so that the druidism of Ireland, as pictured forth in the native record differed in many respects from that of Gaul.

In pagan times the druids were the exclusive possessors of whatever learning was then known. They combined in themselves all the learned professions: they were not only druids, but judges prophets, historians, poets, and even physicians, There were druids in every part of Ireland, but, as we might expect, Tara, the residence of the over-kings of Ireland, was, as we are told in the Life of St. Patrick, “the chief seat of the idolatry and druidism of Erin.” The druids had the reputation of being great magicians; and in this character they figure more frequently and conspicuously than in any other. In some of the old historical romances we find the issues of battles sometimes determined not so much by the valour of the combatants as by the magical powers of the druids attached to the armies. Continue reading “PAGANISM-Druids:-Functions and Powers”→

One of the most striking characteristics of Druidism is the degree to which it is free of dogma and any fixed set of beliefs or practices. In this way it manages to offer a spiritual path, and a way of being in the world that avoids many of the problems of intolerance and sectarianism that the established religions have encountered.

There is no ‘sacred text’ or the equivalent of a bible in Druidism and there is no universally agreed set of beliefs amongst Druids. Despite this, there are a number of ideas and beliefs that most Druids hold in common, and that help to define the nature of Druidism today:

Theology

Since Druidry is a spiritual path – a religion to some, a way of life to others – Druids share a belief in the fundamentally spiritual nature of life. Some will favour a particular way of understanding the source of this spiritual nature, and may feel themselves to be animists, pantheists, polytheists, monotheists or duotheists. Others will avoid choosing any one conception of Deity, believing that by its very nature this is unknowable by the mind.

Monotheistic druids believe there is one Deity: either a Goddess or God, or a Being who is better named Spirit or Great Spirit, to remove misleading associations to gender. But other druids are duotheists, believing that Deity exists as a pair of forces or beings, which they often characterise as the God and Goddess.

Polytheistic Druids believe that many gods and goddesses exist, while animists and pantheists believe that Deity does not exist as one or more personal gods, but is instead present in all things, and is everything.

Whether they have chosen to adopt a particular viewpoint or not, the greatest characteristic of most modern-day Druids lies in their tolerance of diversity: a Druid gathering can bring together people who have widely varying views about deity, or none, and they will happily participate in ceremonies together, celebrate the seasons, and enjoy each others’ company – realising that none of us has the monopoly on truth, and that diversity is both healthy and natural.

Nature forms such an important focus of their reverence, that whatever beliefs they hold about Deity, all Druids sense Nature as divine or sacred. Every part of nature is sensed as part of the great web of life, with no one creature or aspect of it having supremacy over any other. Unlike religions that are anthropocentric, believing humanity occupies a central role in the scheme of life, this conception is systemic and holistic, and sees humankind as just one part of the wider family of life.

The Otherworld

Although Druids love Nature, and draw inspiration and spiritual nourishment from it, they also believe that the world we see is not the only one that exists. A cornerstone of Druid belief is in the existence of the Otherworld – a realm or realms which exist beyond the reach of the physical senses, but which are nevertheless real.

This Otherworld is seen as the place we travel to when we die. But we can also visit it during our lifetime in dreams, in meditation, under hypnosis, or in ‘journeying’, when in a shamanic trance.

Different Druids will have different views on the nature of this Otherworld, but it is a universally held belief for three reasons. Firstly, all religions or spiritualities hold the view that another reality exists beyond the physical world, rather than agreeing with Materialism, that holds that only matter exists and is real. Secondly, Celtic mythology, which inspires so much of Druidism, is replete with descriptions of this Otherworld. Thirdly, the existence of the Otherworld is implicit in ‘the greatest belief’ of the ancient Druids, since classical writers stated that the Druids believed in a process that has been described as reincarnation or metempsychosis (in which a soul lives in a succession of forms, including both human and animal). In between each life in human or animal form the soul rests in the Otherworld.Continue reading “BELIEFS of Druidism”→

by David Lindholm“In the beginning God created heaven and earth” (Genesis 1:1) Being a Christian myself I know full well that the above quote is not one that has enjoyed any greater degree of attention during the last millennia of Christian faith. This is very unfortunate and has created a tension that has estranged most of the modern western world from a natural life and a connection to the natural world and her cycles and rhythms. I joined OBOD in the roaring 90’s (Imagining being able to say that!) and worked my way through to the Druid grade. It was a transforming journey and the diploma (don’t know if that is an accurate term, but it will do) hangs over my desk where I work daily. Druidry changed my outlook on life drastically and fundamentally in a way that was profound. How does this connect with the title above? Well I have been close to the Christian tradition all my life. My grandfather was a priest and later converted to the Catholic Church with his wife, my dear grandmother. At their knees I heard all about the lives of saints like St. Francis, George, Dominikus and more like them. But I also heard at the age of five the tales of Arthur and his knights from my grandfather, and when the tales were told and I asked for more, he wrote more stories for me to enjoy about these immortal heroes. These were magical and held within them a Christian message, but a bit different from what I later snapped up at the services. It was a Christianity that was filled with good men and women, very few priests and even fewer churches. These tales stayed with me and I read even more as I grew older, and I learned to read English books at the age of 13 for this very reason. I continued to go to church now and then but felt estranged; all this talk of sin, the badness of the body and the general ugliness of things material rhymed very poorly with what my grandfather had told me. Then I discovered sexuality, and we do not need to go into the general church policy on that issue. Continue reading “Christianity and Druidry, strange bedfellows or a match made in heaven?”→

by David Lindholm“In the beginning God created heaven and earth” (Genesis 1:1) Being a Christian myself I know full well that the above quote is not one that has enjoyed any greater degree of attention during the last millennia of Christian faith. This is very unfortunate and has created a tension that has estranged most of the modern western world from a natural life and a connection to the natural world and her cycles and rhythms. I joined OBOD in the roaring 90’s (Imagining being able to say that!) and worked my way through to the Druid grade. It was a transforming journey and the diploma (don’t know if that is an accurate term, but it will do) hangs over my desk where I work daily. Druidry changed my outlook on life drastically and fundamentally in a way that was profound. How does this connect with the title above? Well I have been close to the Christian tradition all my life. My grandfather was a priest and later converted to the Catholic Church with his wife, my dear grandmother. At their knees I heard all about the lives of saints like St. Francis, George, Dominikus and more like them. But I also heard at the age of five the tales of Arthur and his knights from my grandfather, and when the tales were told and I asked for more, he wrote more stories for me to enjoy about these immortal heroes. These were magical and held within them a Christian message, but a bit different from what I later snapped up at the services. It was a Christianity that was filled with good men and women, very few priests and even fewer churches. These tales stayed with me and I read even more as I grew older, and I learned to read English books at the age of 13 for this very reason. I continued to go to church now and then but felt estranged; all this talk of sin, the badness of the body and the general ugliness of things material rhymed very poorly with what my grandfather had told me. Then I discovered sexuality, and we do not need to go into the general church policy on that issue. As I grew older I ventured through all kinds of spiritual paths, never feeling at home or being able to believe in what they said. It was all a bit too glib, if you understand my meaning. So by the time I got to Druidry I felt quite disillusioned with the whole idea of spirituality, no matter what flavour, to be frank – and ordinary churchgoing was not an option. But as I worked my way through the coursework I discovered several things. The most important thing for me in retrospect was that there had existed a different Christian tradition, one that was really the Good News, rather then the depressing and life denying rigmarole that you get served on Sundays. I also learned that the nature that I love, man and woman, and the whole Universe had been and could again be viewed in a totally different light. I read about St. Patrick, Columba, Brendan, and the unjustly wronged Pelagius, the Celtic church and its venerable age and its efforts in spreading the Good News when the world grew darker and colder. This rekindled a hope in the possibility of finding again a Christianity that was indeed Good News to all, not just to a select and isolated few. I am a trained historian and archaeologist with the Middle Ages as my specialty so I know full well that the tradition as such is dead and gone. Or is it? I went back to the original sources in the years after I completed the coursework. I read the desert fathers, gospel of Thomas, apocrypha, Gnostic works, orthodox works, the remains of the Celtic church in the form of missals and prayers. I read and read and read. Then I went again to the most important work of all, The Gospels themselves and actually tried to read what they said, not what I have been taught that they were supposed to mean. It was a rewarding read my friends. I then turned to those writers of today that are striving to if not resurrect but bring to life a faith that does somersaults of joy for life itself. Some are of a more Celtic vein, others like Matthew Fox more modern. I read Thomas Merton and Willfred Stinnissen, good Christians all with bright ideas. A new birth is taking place, and it must be so. The old church is dying, literally, only the old are churchgoers today and the reason is that we feel in our hearts that what is preached from the pulpit is simply not true. The tragedy is that even if we want to believe in the Good News, the very institution of the Church kills that longing in the heart oh so quickly. And it was then that I thought again about Druidry. Christianity needs to be reinterpreted in the light of existence; I mean seriously, God himself in Genesis says that creation is GOOD! That he is pleased! How can the church go against that, after all is he not the Boss? Well they can’t and neither can they twist the Good News anymore if you do not let them. There is a very important little secret that the church does not want you to know. Jesus said “Whenever two or more of you are gathered, I will be among you” and he also said “I will be with you until the end of time”. If you read the Good News and Acts it is quite plain that God is not asking for churches, altars, robes, chandeliers, crosses in gold, and churchgoing once a week. Our Lord is a stern taskmaster he asks for nothing less than your whole life. Period. But the catch is that you must live his words everyday in your daily life, Jesus has some very severe words for the hypocrites that visit him once a week and then act like demons out of hell the rest of the week. The truth is that if you live his words, you do not need any church at all. Whenever we gather together it should be in joy and simplicity, very much like the early Celtic church. This is where Druidry comes in. There is a great interest in the early Christianity of the British isles and it is not possible to understand it without an understanding of its pagan roots. We need to find our way back to a veneration of God in all things, Panenthesim as Matthew Fox coined it. God is in all things, but things are not God and God is more than them. Druidry stands astride both traditions, Christianity and Paganism, and if Christianity is going to flourish again it must find its way back to the simple life and we must learn to learn from each other. For too long Christianity has persecuted those who do not agree with them – there is not much love in that. “Do unto others as you want others to do unto you” the Lord said. Well if we Christians mean what we have done, we have a very long and unpleasant reckoning to expect. It is my belief that it is both possible and necessary to come together outside of the established churches. Let them wither as they will, and let us come together, Christian and Pagan as Good Friends that hope for the same things but choose to understand them differently. It is my belief that God in his love (I say his although I believe that God is neither man or woman, or maybe both. Who knows? I sure don’t!) does not really care so much about where we choose to worship, but that we are good men and women. We must become good brothers and sisters to each other, and then we will be doing the Lord’s bidding. To do this we must turn to the Mystical, to experiencing God personally, not settling for a second-hand account once a week. I can think of no better way than to conclude with a short prayer that is one of the most beautiful ever written. Christ ever with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me Christ to my right side, Christ to my left side Christ in his breadth, Christ in his length, Christ in depth Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks to me Christ in every eye that sees me Christ in every ear that hears me. David Lindholm Stockholm, Sweden April 2005

Current Affairs | 17.12.2002

Iraqi Report Could Prove Damaging to Germany

Iraq’s declaration of its weapons programs contains explosive news for Germany, a Berlin paper has reported. The dossier is said to detail covert arms deals between German defense firms and Iraq.

Just as the heated debates within the German government over the role of German troops and equipment in a possible war against Iraq seem to be cooling down, another potential bombshell threatens to reignite the fires.

On Tuesday, the Berlin-based left-wing paper, Tageszeitung reported that aspects of the 12,000-page Iraqi report on Iraq’s weapons programs, submitted to the U.N last week, could prove highly embarrassing for Germany.

The newspaper – believed to be the first to have access to the top-secret dossier – has written that the Iraqi declaration contains the names of 80 German firms, research laboratories and people, who are said to have helped Iraq develop its weapons program.

Errors which happen during Hajj are called Jinaayaat. There are two types of jinaayaat:

(1) Omission of the Waajib acts of Hajj.
(2) Commission of the Hajj prohibitions.

The prohibitions of Hajj are of two kinds:

(1) The prohibitions of Ihraam.
(2) The prohibitions of the Haram Shareef (the Holy Place).

Nine errors pertain to Ihraam and two errors to Haram. Thus, there are altogether eleven errors regarding the prohibitions of Hajj. These are as follows:
(1) To apply perfume.
(2) For men to wear sewn clothes.
(3) To cover the head and f ace.
(4) To remove lice from one’s body.
(5) To kill lice.
(6) To remove hair from the body.
(7) To cut nails.
(8) To indulge in sexual relationship.
(9) To hunt or molest game (wild animals on land).
(10) To hunt in the Holy Precincts.
(11) To cut the grass or trees of the Haram.

PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE ERRORS

There are several principles governing the errors committed. These will now be explained to facilitate better understanding of the errors.

FIRST PRINCIPLE: There are four ways in which the prohibitions of Hajj are committed:

(1) The prohibition is committed fully but because of a valid reason.

(2) The prohibition is committed partially but because of a valid reason.

(3) The prohibition is committed fully but without valid reason.

(4) The prohibition is committed partially but without valid reason.
The Hukm (effect and rule) of each of these four ways of commission is
different. The ruling applicable to each one is as follows:
(a) If the prohibition was committed fully, but because of a valid reason, Dum or Fasting or Sadqah becomes Waajib.

(b) If the prohibition was committed partially, but because of a valid reason, either Fasting or Sadqah is Waajib.

(c) If the prohibition was committed fully, but without valid reason, only Dum is Waajib. In this case there is no choice.

(d) If the prohibition was committed partially, but without valid reason, only Sadqah is Waajib. Again, here is no choice.
SECOND PRINCIPLE: Dum is one goat or one sheep or a seventh share of a cow or camel.

THIRD PRINCIPLE: A whole cow or a whole camel is incumbent on only two occasions, as follows:

(1) Making Tawaaf-e-Ziyaarat in the state of Hadth-e-Akbar, i.e. the greater impurity or janaabat.

(2) To indulge in sexual intercourse after Wuqoof-e-Arafaat, but before shaving the head.

FOURTH PRINCIPLE: All conditions and requirements applicable to Qurbaani animals apply to the Dum animals as well.

FIFTH PRINCIPLE: Sadqah in this context is half a Saa’ (approximately 2,5 kg.) of wheat or the amount which is usually paid as Fitrah.
SIXTH PRINCIPLE: The Qaarin who commits jinaayaat in Ihraam before making Umrah is liable for two penalties since he is in two states of Ihraam. The Mufrid is liable for one penalty since he is in the state of one Ihraam. However, if the Qaarin entered the Meeqaat limits without Ihraam, only one Dum will be Waajib on him.

SEVENTH PRINCIPLE: Regarding the jinaayaat of the Haram and in the penalty pertaining to game on land, there is a choice of three ways of discharging the penalty. These are:
(1) The wild animal is to be valued and if a sacrificial animal (Dum) is available for this value or price, an animal will be purchased and slaughtered.

(2) This amount may be given in charity.

(3) One may fast instead.
Any one of these three penalties will suffice. If the option of fasting is chosen, one should consult an Alim for ascertaining the method of calculating the number of fasts to be kept. This number differs.

EIGHTH PRINCIPLE: Kaffaarah (penalty or compensation) is obligatory
even if a prohibition of Ihraam is committed on account of a valid reason.
NINTH PRINCIPLE: If any act among the Waajibaat of Hajj is omitted without valid reason, penalty is incumbent.

TENTH PRINCIPLE: If any act among the Waajibaat of Hajj is omitted on account of valid reason, penalty is not obligatory.
ELEVENTH PRINCIPLE: penalty is not incumbent on a minor nor on an insane person. However, if one became insane after having entered the state of Ihraam and later regained sanity, then penalty is obligatory for any omission of Waajib acts which had occurred.

TWELFTH PRINCIPLE: If one is unable to discharge the penalty immediately, payment at a later date will be valid.
Deliberate commission of jinaayaat is a grave and major sin. Hajj is not accepted if jinaayaat are committed deliberately.
Discharging the penalty of Jinaayaat does not set one free from the sin. After payment of the penalty it is essential to make taubah (repent) and seek forgiveness from Allah Ta’ala.

THE RULES OF JINAAYAT

(1) If one enters the precincts of the Meeqaat without Ihraam, Dum is Waajib. If the Ihraam is adopted after entering the Meeqaat, one Dum is Waajib. However, if one returns to the Meeqaat and dons Ihraam there, then the Dum penalty falls away.

(2) One who enters the Meeqaat without Ihraam, may return to the Meeqaat as long as one has not entered Makkah Mukarramah and commenced the acts of Hajj. Until such time that one Shaut of Tawaaf has not been rendered, one may return to the Meeqaat and recite the Talbiyah there. In this case the Dum penalty falls away.

(3) The penalty of a camel or Sadqah does not apply for the omission of any Waajib act of Umrah. In this case only a sheep or goat is obligatory. However, since the Ihraam of Umrah and the Ihraam of Hajj are the same, commission of the prohibitions of Ihraam will make Sadqah incumbent.

(4) If the Tawaaf of Umrah, the whole of it or part of it, even if it is just one Shaut, was performed in the state of either Hadth- e-Akbar (janaabat) or Hadth-e-Asghar (without wudhu), then Dum is Waajib.

(5) If Tawaaf-e-Qudoom, Nafl Tawaaf or Tawaaf-e-Wida’ were performed without wudhu, the Sadqah penalty is half Saa’ wheat (the amount of Sadaqatul Fitr) for every Shaut of the Tawaaf rendered without wudhu. If the amount or value of the Sadqah for all the Shauts is equal to the price of a Dum, then slightly less than the price of a Dum should be given as Sadqah. This same rule applies to less than half of Tawaaf -e-Ziyaarat made without wudhu.

(6) If the whole or the greater part of Tawaaf -e-Ziyaarat is made in the state of Hadth-e-Akbar (janaabat), the penalty is a camel or a cow.

(7) If less than half of Tawaaf -e-Ziyaarat or the whole of Tawaaf-e-Qudoom or Tawaaf-e-Wida’ or Tawaaf-e- Nafl is made in the state of Hadth-e-Akbar, the penalty of one goat is Waajib.

(8) If Tawaaf Ziyaarat was made in the state of janaabat and Tawaaf Wida’ was made in the state of tahaarat (purity) during the days of Nahr (10th, 11th, 12th), then this Tawaaf Wida will be considered to be Tawaaf Ziyaarat. Tawaaf Wida’ will have to be repeated. If it is not repeated, Dum is Waajib.

This pamphlet is to emphasize the importance and the length of the beard. Many Muslims have queried regarding this point. I have also found that people prefer keeping a beard in imitation of what’s in vogue rather than that prescribed by Nabi (Sallallâhu Alayhi Wasallam). A compilation of this nature has become important because the impact of the western way of life seems to be luring unwary Muslims into such a craze that the importance of the beard itself is being doubted and scoffed at.

To those who feel the issue is trivial to worry about, may ALLAH guide him. But to those who genuinely wish to learn and practice what is right, here are sufficient proofs from the Holy Qur’ân, Ahadîth, and learned scholars.

Concerning Adherence to the Sunnah in the Holy Qur’ân:

“O ye who believe! Obey Allâh, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you.” [Holy Qur’ân 4:59]

“O ye who believe! Obey Allâh and His Messenger, and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak).” [Holy Qur’ân 8:20]

“O ye who believe! give your response to Allâh and His Messenger, when He calleth you to that which will give you life; and know that Allâh cometh in between a man and his heart, and that it is He to Whom ye shall (all) be gathered.” [Holy Qur’ân 8:24]

“Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allâh an excellent exempler for him who hopes in Allâh and the Final Day, and who remembers Allâh.” [Holy Qur’ân 33:21]

“What Allâh has bestowed on His Messenger (and taken away) from the people of the townships,- belongs to Allâh,- to His Messenger and to kindred and orphans, the needy and the wayfarer; in order that it may not (merely) make a circuit between the wealthy among you. So take what the Messenger gives you, and refrain from what he prohibits you. And fear Allâh: for Allâh is strict in Punishment.” [Holy Qur’ân 59:7]

Importance of the Beard in the Words of Rasulullah :

Rasulullah (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam) said “I have no connection iwth one who shaves, shouts and tears his clothing eg. in grief or affication.” – Reported by Abu Darda (R.A.) in Muslim, Hadith no. 501

The teachings of Hadhrat Ammar Bin Yaasir, Abdullah Ibn Umar, Sayyidina Umar, Abu Hurairah and Jaabir (R.A.), indicate that ALL used to keep beards that were one fist length or more. Hadhrat Jaabir (R.A.) had said: “We used to grow long beards and only during Hajj and Umrah did we trim them to the required length (i.e. fist length).”

Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (R.A.) relates that: “He who imitates the kuffar (non-believers) and dies in that state, he will be raised up with them on the Day of Qiyâmat (Judgement).”

Rasulullah (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “Anyone who shaves has no claim to the mercy of Allâh” – Reported by Ibn Abbas (R.A.) in Tibrabi

Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (R.A.) used to cut that portion (which exceeds the grip of the hand) of the beard.- Tirmidhi

The Beard according to the Great Imâms of Jurisprudence

HANAFI

Imam Muhammed (R.A.) writes in his book “Kitabul Aathaar” where he relates from Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A.) who relates from Hadhrat Haytham (R.A.) who relates from Ibn Umar (R.A.) that he (Ibn Umar) used to hold his beard in his hand and cut off which was longer. Imam Muhammed (R.A.) says that this is what we follow and this was the decision of Imam Abu Hanifa. Therefore, according to Hanafis, to shorten the beard less than a FIST LENGTH is HARAAM and on this is IJMA’ (concensus of opinion).

Shekh Ahmad Nafarawi Maliki in the commentary of Imam Abu Zayed’s booklet states, “to shave the beard is without doubt haraam according to all Imams.” It is also mention in “Tamheed” which is a commentary of “al-Muwatta” (Sunnan Imam Malik (R.A.)) that to shave the beard is HARAAM and among males the only ones to resort to this practice (of shaving) are the HERMAPHRODITES (persons who possess both male and female features and characteristics).

HANBALI

The Hanbalis in the famous Al-Khanie’a Hanbali Fatawa Kitab state that “to grow the beard is essential and to shave it is HARAAM.” Also in the Hanbali Mathab books “Sharahul Muntahaa” and “Sharr Manzoomatul Âdâb“, it is stated “The most accepted view is that it is HARAAM (prohibited) to shave the beard.”

Also note, according to scholars of Islam: “To shave off the beard is haraam (unlawful) and one who shaves his beard is, legally speaking, FASIQ (sinner); hence, it is NOT PERMISSIBLE to appoint such a man as an Imam. To say Taraweeh behind such an Imam is MAKRUH-E-TAHRIMI (near prohibition)” (Shami Vol.1, p.523)

The Durre-Mukhtar states: “No one has called it permissible to trim it (the beard) less than FIST-LENGTH as is being done by some westernized Muslims and hermaphrodites.” (Vol. 2, p. 155). Also, “It is forbidden (haraam) for a man to cut off another’s beard.” (Vol. 5, p. 359).

CONCLUSION

Thus, a Muslim who shaves or shortens his beard is like a hermaphrodite, his Imamate near prohibition, his evidence is not valid, he will not have the right to vote or being voted for. Shaving and shortening the beard is the action of non-believers. Imam Ghazzali (RA) says: “Know that the key to total bliss (Saadah) lies in following the Sunnah and in emulating the life of Rasulullah (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam) in ALL that issues from him, and in ALL his doings even if it concerns the manner of his eating, rising, sleeping, and speaking. I do say this in relation to rituals in worship ONLY because there is no way neglecting the Sunnah reported of him in such matters – but what I say INCLUDES EVERY ASPECT of his daily life.” (Kitab al Arbain Addin, Cairo 1344, p. 89). Furthermore, in the Holy Qur’ân, Allâh told Rasulullah (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam) to say:

“Say: “If ye do love Allâh, Follow me: Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Holy Qur’ân 3:31]

The daily recitation of a band of angels of Allâh is “Holy is the Being who adorned men with beards and women with braids” (Takmela e Bahr al Raiq, Vol. 3, p. 331)

Lastly, Allâh Ta’ala says in the Holy Qur’ân:

“And when the true believers are called to Allâh and His Rasul (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam) [to accept and practice the law and commands of Allâh and His Rasul (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam)] that he may pass judgement upon them, their ONLY reply is ‘We hear and obey.’ Such men shall surely prosper.” [24:51]

THE CALL IS TO GROW A FIST LENGTH BEARD, LET US HEAR AND OBEY TO PROSPER.

The Blessed Beard… Grow it, what’s so hard to understand?

(Commentary) Muslims are overcome with western influence in their lives and it’s easy to forget, nay, neglect the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Little do these Muslims realize the magnitude of their actions in imitating Kufaar (see Hadith section). Hopefully the information presented herein will enlighten those. And then there are others who claim that the matters concerning beards is a “little” issue not worthy of mention nor practice. To them I say get off the denial bandwagon, you’re a Muslim! Follow the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in all aspects of life, for he was the best of examples. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve mistaken a Muslim brother (outside of the Masjid) for a kaafir on account of his clean-shaven, well oiled, face. How can I say “Assalaamu Alaikum Brother!” when I do not know if he is a Muslim. Yet that very brother then wonders why he was ignored! From one brother to another, I say: “Grow a beard, then, since it also promotes Brotherhood in the real world. Stand with your Brothers, be one. We know you are handsome without it (a beard), but who cares? What matters is how Allâh (S.W.T.) sees you. And when you do grow a beard, don’t mock the Sunnah, please grow it correctly, i.e. FIST LENGTH. That is the prescribed length and no shorter (see Hadeeth section)…” Peace. Original document copied from http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/2193/beard.html

[Editor’s Note: This is a reply to an article by Mr Edip Yuksel called “Abortion is Murder if……” in which the author expressed his opinion that abortion should be permitted in the first three months of pregnancy.]“Have you noted those who claim that they believed in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you, then uphold the laws of idolatry? They were commanded to reject such laws. indeed, It is the devils wish to lead them far astray 4:60.

The abortion issue has always been a hot topic. For the last 1400 years, the majority of the Muslims were misled by their scholars into believing that abortion in the first three months of pregnancy is permissible. While disregarding the clear orders in the Quran, these Muslims built their conclusion on fabricated hadiths. Some of these hadiths claimed that the soul of the fetus does not enter the body until the fourth month of gestation and therefore killing the fetus is permissible.

It was God’s blessing that we were guided back to the Quran by the messenger of the covenant who strongly refused the fabricated hadiths and clearly indicated that the Quran certainly condemns the killing of both the born and the unborn children.

As we learned from history, after the departure of every messenger, some people will distort the message and confuse the others. Now we hear the call to go back to the laws of ignorance and allow the killing of the unborn children during the first three months of pregnancy. This call comes from those who are confused, misled, misinformed and misguided.

“Losers are those who killed their children foolishly, due to their lack of knowledge, and prohibited what God has provided for them, and followed innovations attributed to God. They have gone astray, they are not guided.” (6:140)

Abortion, what is it ?

Webster’s dictionary defines abortion as the expulsion of a non-viable fetus during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Remember that, in the abortion performed today, the abortionists induce the expulsion of a viable fetus, or in other terms kill the living fetus to bring him/her down. What is the stand of the Quran on the abortion issue ? Let us find out.

Quran, the first revelation:

The believers know that every word, letter, name, number and gesture in the Quran is chosen deliberately. It should not surprise us to find out that the name God chose for the first revelation of the Quran, was not Muhammed, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, The Sun, the Moon, the Iron, the winds, the stars, the night, the people, or the Jinn..etc. The name God chose for His first revelation was “The hanging embryo”, Sura 96. This hanging embryo stage starts about 6 days after the fertilization of the ovum, not after three months of pregnancy. How significant or insignificant is this choice, it is up to you to ponder. Let us keep this in mind while studying the rest of the Quran that deals with this issue.

Killing the soul or the body !!

Some argued, on no basis but fabricated hadiths, that the fetus in the first four months do not have a soul yet and therefore it is permissible to kill him/her. They do not realize that the soul has nothing to do with abortion. In abortion you are dealing with the physical body and its life, you are destroying the physical body of the fetus not the soul. We cannot kill the soul even if we try. Whether the soul entered the fetus body in the first minute of life or after four months of pregnancy is irrelevant to the abortion issue.

Killing, condemned:

Killing any person is strongly condemned in the Quran. God has made life sacred. Killing the children is specifically condemned as they are the helpless victims in every society.

“You shall not kill any (Nafs) person – for GOD has made life sacred – except in the course of justice…….”(17:33)

“You shall not kill your children due to fear of poverty. We provide for them, as well as for you. Killing them is a gross offense”(17:31)

“Say, “Come let me tell you what your Lord has really prohibited for you: You shall not set up idols besides Him. You shall honor your parents. You shall not kill your children from fear of poverty – we provide for you and for them. You shall not commit gross sins, obvious orhidden. You shall not kill any (Nafs) person – GOD has made life sacred – except in the course of justice. These are His commandments to you, that you may understand.”[6:151]

What does the word “Children” in the verse include ?. This word “Children” is the translation of the Arabic word “Awlad”. “Do not kill your (Awlad) children..”.

One author of an abortion article claims that, the Webster’s dictionary defines a child as “Young human being” which is true but is also half the truth. The dictionary also defines a child as ” the unborn or recently born person”. That author used this half truth to support his opinion that killing the unborn children is not covered by these verse, 17:33 and 6:151

Again the same author has been misinforming the reader by claiming that the word “Awlad (Children)” and “Walad (Child)” in Arabic are used ONLY for the born children. He concludes that the order in 71:31 and 6:151 applies only to the killing of born children.

The truth of the matter is that both the words, Children in English and Awlad in Arabic are used for both the born and unborn children in their prospective languages. The order in 17:33 and 6:151 applies to both born and unborn children.

A simple and extra effort by that author would have saved him and those who believed him the big confusion. The Arabic dictionaries describe the unborn child as “Walad in the mother’s womb”. The born child in Arabic is called “Maolood”. “Walad” in Arabic like the word child in English can be used for both the born and the unborn. Although the word “Walad” is derived from the root “Walada” (to give birth), it does not mean that “Walad” has to be born but rather related to the process of birth. The word “Walid” in Arabic is used for father, only because he was a partner in causing this birth to happen and not because he was born or gives birth. God used the word Maolood in the Quran, (31:33). Had God willed, he could have said, “Do not kill your Maoloods” (born children) to specify this category of children.

In 17:31 and 6:151, God is ordering us, not to kill the born or the unborn children.

God cares about the first three months of pregnancy:

The sincere student of the Quran will find out that God is telling us in 2:226 and 65:4 that the first three months of pregnancy are so important that a divorced woman will have to change her life plan if she found herself pregnant. The matter is no more of her own concern, but it is God’s concern. God’s concern is for the pregnancy and specifically for these first few months of pregnancy. Women who get divorced have an interim of three months before getting married again. This is done MAINLY to see if they are pregnant or not. God then orders them to forget their own wishes and plans and respect the new life created in their wombs. If the first three months of pregnancy were not important God would have told these women not to wait and to have abortion and keep their life plans as they wish. If a married woman get divorced before having a full marital relationship with her husband, she dose not have to wait for three months, 33:49. She would have no interim. Since there is no chance of her being pregnant , the matter is only of her concern.

God cares about the whole three months of early pregnancy as much as we can see from the Quran’s treatment of the divorce cases. God named his first revelation after the hanging embryo, not by accident. This hanging embryo, is a stage that starts in 6 days after the fertilization of the ovum.

The New Creature:

“Then we developed the drop into a hanging (embryo), then developed the hanging (embryo) into a bite-size (fetus), then created the bite-size (fetus) into bones, then covered the bones with flesh. We thus produce (Anshaa) a new creature. Most blessed is GOD, the best Creator.” [23:14]

In verse 23:14, God described the creation of the human being from a tiny drop until he produced a new creature. The advocates of abortion in the first three months of pregnancy, consider the way God described the production of a new creature in this verse (by using the Arabic word Anshaa`) as their proof of the time when the soul joins the body of the fetus. On this basis, they claim that it is OK to kill the fetus before that, since he/she does not have a soul. They are missing many points here. First, abortion has nothing to do with the soul as we explained before. In abortion you kill the physical body of the fetus. You do not and cannot kill the soul. Therefore the time the soul joins the physical body is not important and irrelevant, and God never elaborated on it in the Quran. Second, the word (Anshaa`), in 23:14, is used exclusively in the Quran for the production or construction of a physical being, human or non-human, e.g. the humans, the trees, the clouds, communities..etc. Please see 23:14,19,31,42; 6:141; 11:61 and 53:32. This word (Anshaa`) or its derivatives have never been used by God in the Quran to describe anything that has to do with the soul. To assure the believers, God used another word (Nafakha) repeatedly to describe the joining of the soul and the physical body. See 3:49, 5:110. 15:29, 21:91, 32:9, 39:72 and 66:12.

The use of the word (Anshaa`) to describe the new creature is referring to the physical body of the developing fetus and not to the soul. The fetus will look completely different then, compared with the way it started as a tiny drop. Check any embryology book to appreciate this vast difference.

Note also that God used the word (Anshaa`) four times in sura 23, to give the sincere believer the clue he/she needs.

Abusing the Quran and the Mathematics:

Abusing verses 31:14, 46:15 and 2:233, the author of an article about abortion claims that the last six months of pregnancy are the only important months in the life of the unborn child and therefore it should be permissible to kill the child in the first three months of pregnancy.

Let us study these two verses. Verse 46:15 tells us that the total period for both pregnancy and nursing is 30 months. We know that this is an average estimate and the verse does not define which part of these 30 month is the pregnancy and which is the nursing time. Verse 2:233 tells us that nursing the newborn can be extended as long as two years for those who want to continue nursing. It does not define nursing as obligatory 24 months. It does not say nursing for two months, three months or 20 months is not permitted. In other words the period of nursing is maximum of 24 months but can be as short as one day.

Making an equation from these numbers, the author of the abortion article claimed :

He concluded that only 6 months of the pregnancy period are important and they have to be the last 6 months.

Any one who does not realize that the two numbers in the above equation are variables will be easily deceived. You cannot deduct one variable from another and come up with a fixed number. To make such a serious conclusion from this false equation is a sign of misguidance.

More to our surprise, was that the author concluded that it is the last 6 months (not the first 6 months) of pregnancy that are the important ones. Without any equations or calculations, any intelligent human being can realize that children born after only 6 months of pregnancy can survive and live to be mature adults. Children born after 6 months only of pregnancy can be nursed up to 24 months to complete the 30 months if they need to. Children born after 7,8 or 9 months may need less nursing time as we all know. If we are to make any conclusion from the above numbers we should know that, God is showing us that the first and not the last six months of the pregnancy are the important months for the life of a healthy child. To have it backward is a clear sign of confusion. The above equation is wrong, misleading and inappropriate.

31:14 states, “We enjoined the human being to honor his parents. His mother bore him and the load got heavier and heavier, It takes up to two years of intensive care until weaning…”.

This expression “up to” (fee)(in Arabic) or “within” has been missed by those who do not understand Arabic. The word (fee) in Arabic can be used for place or time, if used for a place it will mean “in” and if used for time it will mean “within”.

The confirmation of this period comes from God In 2:233 when God teaches us that mothers shall nurse their Infants two full years if the father so wishes. Which also means if the father has no objection, the mother can nurse them any period of time shorter than or longer than two years.

Which, What, Who, or Whom:

A question was raised about the use of the Arabic pronoun “Ma” in the Quran to describe the unborn child. The writer tried to imply that “Ma” which is translated as “What” or “which” as used in (2:228) and (3:35) signify that an unborn child is a non-person. While this typically demonstrates to us what God means in verse 3:7, it clearly reflects how God can control the teaching of the Quran as stated in 55:1-2. The use of the pronoun “Ma” has no significance regarding whether the unborn child is a real person or a nonperson. First in (2:228), God states that He knows what He created in the womb, and this covers the whole period of pregnancy, whether the unborn child is one month or nine months old. It does not make a difference, age wise. Second in (3:35) the use of the word “Ma” again carry the same meaning as in (2:228). God clarifies this more in the next verse (3:36) when God uses the same pronoun “Ma” for the born child “God was fully aware of what she bore”. It is more interesting to see that verse (22:2) was used twice in arguing the abortion issue but the author failed twice to recognize the simple “Ma” that God used in that verse for the nursing infant. So, “Ma” has been used in the Quran for born and unborn child without discrimination. To imply that God used the word (MA) for the unborn child because of the insignificance of the fetus is naive and dangerous especially when added to the ignorance of the author with the proper Arabic language.

A question to produce confusion among the people is as innocent as the wolf denying his preying on the little lamb while his teeth are still stained with his blood.

The Misfortune:

No description of a misfortune surpasses God’s revelation In (63:1-3).

“When the hypocrites come to you they say, “We bear witness that you are the messenger of GOD.” GOD knows that you are His messenger, and GOD bears witness that the hypocrites are liars. Under the guise of their apparent faith, they repel the people from the path of GOD. Miserable indeed is what they doThis is because they believed, then disbelieved. Hence, their minds are blocked; they do not understand. ”

The misfortunate person has to be the person who is following his own ego. In (45:23). God warns us:

“Have you noted the one whose god is his ego? Consequently, GOD sends him astray, despite his knowledge, seals his hearing and his mind, and places a veil on his eyes. Who then can guide him, after such a decision by GOD? Would you not take heed?” [45:23]

The Exception:

As we all know, every rule has an exception including the religious laws. After all attempts are made to save both the mother and the unborn child, and under unusual situations, abortion may be allowed to save the mother’s life. This is permitted, not only during the first three months of pregnancy, but during any time during the pregnancy. Cases of rape have no place in this discussion. Women who are victims of rape have enough time (as much as 6 days) to use available medical treatments to avoid any possible pregnancy. If the rape victim waited until she finds out that she is pregnant, it is too late and she has no excuse to kill the child created in her womb.

In Conclusion :

(1) Quran condemns the killing of born and unborn children (6:151, 17:31,6:140,60:12), i.e. abortion is murder.

(2) The messengers of God deliver the message, they do not distort it.(3:20, 5:92, 5:99….)

(3) History repeats itself. The followers of the messenger are the ones who usually distort the message. Their excuse has been, “our intentions were honorable and righteous”. (61:4)

(4) All claims of religious knowledge should be subjected to the utmost scrutiny to avoid falling in the same trap of previous generations, (17:36).

(5) Knowledgeable people recognize their mistakes (7:23). ignorant people by mistake, recognize their knowledge (7:30.19:104, 59:18).

A Pig’s Tale

Millions of dollars are spent each year to understand which foods are healthy and which are not. Did you know that this information was documented millennia ago?

BY BRADFORD G. SCHLEIFER

Each day, millions of people consume three square meals, intended to power their bodies throughout the day. In the hustle and bustle of our modern society, these meals are increasingly becoming more processed and less natural than at any time in history.

How is this affecting society’s overall health? The result can be seen in the explosion of sickness, disease and overall lack of good health. But most never make the connection between what they eat and how they feel-and are doomed to a lifetime of illness and fatigue.

Much of the problem is directly tied to a social ignorance of health, diet and our bodies. Modern science has not helped. While having a discussion relating to health and diet, one nutritionist, who develops menus for high schools, stated that the link between what one eats and how one feels has been blown out of proportion. She went on to state that the origin of sickness is unknown, and that this is the reason we have doctors.

But what have doctors and medical science been able to accomplish? Very few illnesses and diseases are actually cured, and fewer still are prevented! Western medicine has been designed to react to an illness and not help one prevent illnesses and maintain health.

It is interesting to note that most recognize what poisons do to the body. They understand that if one consumes cyanide, he will die. Conversely, many parents tell their kids to “eat your vegetables.” Yet, a broader connection to diet is never established.

There exists a book written millennia ago that details what mankind should and should not eat to maintain health and avoid disease. That book, man’s overall Instruction Manual on how to live, is the Bible. As you will see, science continues to prove the laws contained in its pages! However, mankind has ignored this book as a source of knowledge and has spent the last 6,000 years trying to “figure out” what was already written.

In the second book of the Bible, a very detailed set of dietary laws are established. These set the basis for what creatures were designed to be eaten and which ones were created for other purposes. Leviticus 11 describes each of these animals in detail, but in this short article, we will cover only the most popular. We will look at the science of the matter, and show that the Bible has been right all along.

The body of evidence is vast and it may change what makes up your three square meals forever.

“The Other White Meat”

Without a doubt, the most popular of these animals are pigs. This pug-nosed “treat” is served in backyards as pork chops, at breakfast tables as bacon or as delicacies in five-star restaurants. Supporting its consumption are powerful organizations that push its health and safety in the media and political lobbies. The result is that swine comprises a large portion of the North American menu.

But is it as safe and healthy as some would have you believe?

Much insight into the pig can be ascertained by how they are raised and what they will eat. Many have heard the expression, “you are what you eat,” and what a pig will eat is shocking. We will also look at how pigs digest their food and how they differ from many other meats.

A pig’s digestive system-unlike a cow’s-is not designed to filter toxins from its system. These toxins work their way through the pig and are deposited in the animal’s flesh-especially in its fat deposits. The pig itself is actually able to sustain very high levels of toxins in its system. As such, it can eat just about anything. So much so that it has actually been reported that in an effort to keep feed costs down, pig farmers will purchase garbage, such as rotting meat and vegetables from restaurants, to feed their pigs-and the pigs can be sustained on it. However, there is nothing in the pig’s digestive system, or the processing of the meat, that removes these toxins.

Farmers have even reported pigs chewing and eating the cancer of other animals!

More interesting still is the time it takes for such things, like the garbage and cancer described above, to become flesh. For most animals, this is a much slower process, taking about 12 hours. This gives the animal’s digestive system time to filter toxins, poisons and deadly parasites from entering the bloodstream and being deposited in its flesh. Also, because most food is turned into muscle, more time is required for that muscle to form.

The same is not true for the pig. Much of what it eats quickly turns into flesh in just four hours. Not only does this mean that toxins are not filtered, but most of the flesh takes the form of fat!

Even in humans, body fat is where most toxins are stored. Typically, when the body does not know how to deal with a substance, it surrounds it with fat and stores it to keep the rest of the body safe from that substance. The same is true in pigs. While they have other methods to dump the extremely deadly toxins from their system, the highest concentration will be in the fat tissue.

This is why a March 1950 Reader’s Digest article stated that pork contains “myriads of baffling and sinister parasites.” But this should not be a surprise.

Cleaners-Not Clean Meat

Pigs are designed as natural vacuum cleaners. They will eat just about anything-garbage, carcasses or even their own urine and feces. Most of this consumption causes no harm to the pig. They were designed to do such things. They are so efficient at the task that when land is cleared for a golf course, pigs are let loose to eat all the poisonous snakes-with no harm to the pigs.

Every animal has its purpose. Scavengers, such as the pig, are designed to clean-not to be eaten! Some of the “cleaning” features of the pig are remarkable.

One such feature is located under its hooves. Often referred to as poison ducts or running sores, these “sores” act as a conduit for poisons to ooze from the pig’s body. This is one reason pigs can eat poisonous snakes that would kill other creatures and not be affected themselves. However, these ducts will often become “plugged” from the amount of toxins pigs must excrete from their bodies. If this becomes the case, a farmer must quickly have the pig slaughtered and sent to the market before it dies. As you may well imagine, the meat from such an animal is riddled with parasites and toxins.

One case-in-point: A mink farm in New Holstein, Wisconsin ordered beef livers to feed their minks. The supplier accidentally shipped pig livers instead. The result? Every mink that ate the livers died!

The toxicity of the animal is not just limited to meat and organs! Even the saliva of the pig can be horribly infectious. In fact, one disease, called “mad itch,” will cause a cow to rub all the skin from its mouth-to the point of suicide. All that is required for cows to contract this disease is to come in contact with a pig’s saliva residue in shared food supplies!

Worm Civilizations

Inside the animal is a myriad of worms and parasites. For instance, a pig can sustain 19 different kinds of worms inside its body. Some have very minor effects in humans, but others have much more long-lasting effects.

One such organism is the worm responsible for trichinosis. This is also the most widely published of the worms found in pork that affect humans.

Like most organisms found in pork, this worm is contracted when one consumes meat containing trichinae larva. Once in your intestine, these larvae hatch from their protective cysts and grow into adult roundworms. These roundworms then produce offspring that can burrow through your intestinal wall. From this point, they enter your lymphatic system and can move throughout your body via the bloodstream. They then implant themselves in tissues that allow them to grow.

Studies have shown that their larvae have been found in heart, diaphragm, lung and brain tissue. Those infected with trichinosis can experience a wide range of symptoms-abdominal discomfort, cramping, diarrhea, muscle pain (especially muscle pain with breathing, chewing, or using large muscles) and fever. If the damage to the tissue is severe, the long-term problems are never-ending.

And this is just one of the 19 parasites found in pork!

SYMPTOMS OF TRICHINOSIS

Many assume that trichinosis is uncommon in the modern day. This is mostly due to the fact that this disease is extremely hard to detect in humans.

• UNDER FINGERNAILS: Trichinosis, as shown here, can be manifested by splinter hemorrhages under the finger nails.

PHOTO: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• MICROSCOPIC VIEW: This micrograph reveals developing Trichinella cysts within human muscle tissue. After exposure to gastric acid and pepsin, the larvae are released from the cysts and invade the small bowel mucosa where they develop into adult worms. After one week, the females release larvae that migrate to the striated muscles where they encyst.

PHOTO: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<

This is why Dr. Maurice C. Hall, Zoology Chief at the U.S. Public Health Service, stated, “It appears to be a legitimate demand that, when a man exchanges dollars for pork, he should not do it, on the basis that he may be purchasing his death warrant.” This statement was made many years ago, leaving some to wonder if the pork purchased today is much leaner and healthier (as asserted by suppliers).

So-called experts will argue that properly cooking pork at 167 degrees Fahrenheit will destroy all the bacteria and worms in it. But studies have proven this not to be the case. One university heated trichinae-infested pig meat to an incredibly high temperature (nearly 500 degrees Fahrenheit) to test this theory. Even when the meat reached temperatures that could not be viably reproduced in one’s home, it still contained living worms. Simple organisms like these worms are remarkably resilient, and thoroughly cooking the pork does not make it safe.

And some of these parasites, like trichinosis, can be incredibly hard to detect. Former chairman of the New York Trichinosis Commission, Senator Thomas C. Desmond, stated, “Physicians have confused trichinosis with some 50 ailments, ranging from Typhoid Fever to Acute Alcoholism…That pain in your arm or leg may be arthritis or rheumatism, but it may be trichinosis. That pain in your back may mean a gall-bladder involvement, but it may mean trichinosis.”

Body’s Response

Another interesting fact about pork is related to how the human body digests animal fat. The process is called hydrolysis. Studies show that when you eat animal fat, it undergoes a conversion process that changes it from beef fat, for instance, into human fat-the form in which it is stored in the body. This allows the body to remove some of the toxins and to create tissue that is able to be converted into energy when needed.

Yet, pork is not subject to hydrolysis. Anytime you have pork chops or sausage, its fat is stored in the body as PORK FAT! As we have seen, fat stores much of the toxins. Therefore, you are storing the most toxic form of the animal!

As previously stated, when the body does not know how to deal with something-like toxins-it isolates it. In the case of toxins, it stores them in fat. Since your body was never designed to ingest swine fat, it does not know how to do deal with it. So it isolates it, unchanged as pig fat on your body!

And this tissue is not even useful for energy. To convert these pork fat deposits into usable energy, the body must burn up large amounts of glucose-an essential element of brain function. This can lead to a feeling of chronic hunger, which leads to the consumption of more meat-and the vicious cycle continues.

Studies have also shown that those who regularly eat pork are more prone to ulcerous skin infections. This should not be surprising, because ulcerous skin infections are COMMON on living pigs and, as we have seen, cooking does not kill all the worms and parasites in pork.

Other Deadly Creatures

We have focused on the most popular of unclean meats, but there are many reasons why certain birds, seafood and other creatures are also unhealthy. One example is that of clams and oysters. Typically, these shellfish are eaten raw. It has been found that 50 to 70% of all clams and oysters are contaminated with salmonella. Not only that, but such bottom-feeding creatures are typically saturated with heavy metals, such as mercury.

Another example would be that of armadillos. Not only are these creatures unclean to eat, but studies show they may even be dangerous to handle, as they may serve as reservoirs for leprosy.

One final study also bears some investigation. Though it was conducted many years ago, a modern “update” of this study, with a more exact toxicology analysis, would show similar results. A 1953 study published in the “Bulletin of the History of Medicine,” and written by Dr. David Macht, M.D., tested a variety of biblically clean and unclean animals for levels of toxicity. His finding confirmed everything covered so far. Every animal that the Bible declared as clean was found to be non-toxic. Conversely, each animal declared as unclean was found to be toxic and inedible based on these tests. Keep in mind that this study took place in a much less toxic society, so the same animals would be much more toxic today! It took mankind 6,000 years to determine this fact that has always been in the pages of the Bible!

Time and time again, study of these scavengers show that they are well-designed to clean, but they are not clean to eat. Just as you would not go into a sewage plant for dinner, you should not eat these natural sewage processors!

It takes very little investigation to learn why the Bible teaches what it has for thousands of years. God declares certain animals unclean and they are designated as such for a reason!

The Bible itself has never wavered on these teachings. If you look at the first book of the Bible-Genesis-you will find that Noah was instructed to take seven pairs of clean animals and one pair of unclean. Even then, God wanted mankind to eat what was created to be food and not to eat things that would poison him.

This is particularly important in the context of the account of the Flood. God was cleansing the world to start anew. He could have easily allowed for anything to be eaten if that was His choice. But He inspired this grouping of animals and the recording of it in Genesis as a lesson for us today.

For centuries, the Bible has been discounted as either a book of “stories” or some “good concepts”-it is not believed for what it says!Man ignores its plain teachings-including that of clean and unclean meats. You have seen that before science could prove it to be true, God’s Word told the truth. And this truth is only the tip of the iceberg. If you follow the laws that God set forth regarding diet, not only will you be pleasing the Creator of the universe, but you will enjoy bounding energy and solid health. Continue to dig deeper-what you may discover will most certainly surprise you!

(To learn more about the biblical teaching of clean and unclean meats and how to live a healthier lifestyle, you may read our article “Are All Animals Good Food?” and our booklet “God’s Principles of HEALTHFUL LIVING”.)

Taking an evergreen tree, putting it in your house, decorating it with lights, sitting in the dark, and adoring it to Christmas carols is spiritual adultery. You profess to love Jesus, but you do so with the mementos and techniques of other lovers – the world and pagan religion. You are not content with Christ’s pure gospel – for it has no Mass of Christ. You have added the world’s seductions to keep you happy in your marriage to Christ. He is highly offended at your whorish ways.

120 Reasons Against ChristmasThere are many Bible reasons not to celebrate Christmas for those who esteem God’s precepts concerning all things to be right and that hate every false way (Ps 119:128). The God of heaven has specified exactly how He wants to be worshipped. He does not accept inventions or modifications. And He seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). You are living in the perilous times of the last days – a time of great compromise by so-called Christians (II Tim 3:1 – 4:5 ). Where do you stand?

How to Stop Celebrating
When the Lord reveals the evil of pagan holy days, there are questions about informing others of the change in your life. Here are a few suggestions to be wise and righteous before God without being unduly antagonistic or offensive to those who cannot see (Rom 12:18; I Cor 7:15).

What About the Seventh Day?The Seventh-Day Adventists have made a golden calf out of the Old Testament Sabbath and the seventh day of the week. But what does the Bible say?Did Noah worship on Saturday?Did the apostles and early Christians worship on Saturday? Are Catholics behind Sunday worship? Who is Ellen G. Harmon and why are her writings considered greater than Scripture by Seventh-Day Adventists?

Who is this? What is she doing? Revelation 3:20 is the most abused verse in the Bible. Jesus does not look like an effeminate, she-man hippie. Jesus does not beg at the hearts of sinners. His appearance is very different (Rev 1:12-18; 19:11-16); He opens the hearts of sinners by His great power (Acts 16:14; Rev 3:7). and Revelation 3:20 is for believing saints only! Get this verse right today, and never let anyone deceive you with it again!

Eternal Life Is a GiftIn a few years, you will get to die! Yes, you will get to die … to end the decay, pain, rot, trouble, and weakness of your body. Why must you rot and die? Because you sinned against a holy God. Atheists and evolutionists have no clue about death, but God explained it clearly. He hates sin. You sinned. You must die. But before you get to die, you will rot inside and outside from the beauty, glory, health, strength, and vigor of youth. Life is hopeless … without the gift of God … which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Who Is the Seed of Abraham?God made fantastic promises to Abraham and his seed 4000 years ago. Consider the promises. An innumerable family! A land for an everlasting possession! Destruction of enemies! Blessings on all nations of the earth! Who is this seed? They are surely the most blessed people on earth! Paul warned about Jewish fables 2000 years ago (Titus 1:14), but most churches are teaching them today. The rightful heirs are being ignored!

Do Commas Matter?If you love the Bible, this short article is for you. Most Christians do not care. Rick Warren and novels like The Message have destroyed concern for God’s words. Paul argued doctrine on two historical events 430 years apart in Galatians 3:17, and Old Testament history should agree with it. But modern versions, in their haste to get rid of commas and make the Bible ‘easier to understand’, have created a contradiction. Have fun!

Best Book on Bible Prophecy! We are offering below our cost and with free shipping the best book on Bible prophecy available today.Having surveyed hundreds of books about prophecy, this one is more concise, easier to read, better documented, and more accurate than any we have found. This offer is to earnestly contend for the apostolic faith and oppose both Preterism and Futurism in the whole world.

Proverbs CommentaryWhat could the wisest man on earth charge per hour to authoritatively answer all life’s questions? $500 an hour? $5,000 an hour? But here is God’s inspired wisdom by King Solomon free of charge!

Proverbs 1:17 – What kind of people are as dumb as stupid birds?“, “Proverbs 1:26 – “I also will laugh at your calamity”; a sober warning from Lady Wisdom.“, “Proverbs 1:32 – Why are some people dumb enough to buy lottery tickets?“, “Proverbs 2:5 – What are the simple steps to growing in wisdom?“, “Proverbs 2:18 – Whores always build their houses on a slippery slope!“, “Proverbs 3:10 – What is a sure way to financial success?“, “Proverbs 3:11 – What are the four reasons bad things happen to good people?“, “Proverbs 4:3 – What do loving parents do to prove their love?“, “Proverbs 4:15 – How close should you get to foolish persons?“, “Proverbs 5:3 – What about a women is delicious like honey and oil?“, “Proverbs 5:19 – Does breast size really matter?“, “Proverbs 6:7 – If you are not a self-starter, you are dumber than an ant!“, “Proverbs 6:28 – What do fire walkers and chat rooms have in common?“, “Proverbs 7:9 – What time of day does most fornication take place?“, “Proverbs 7:13 – What are some of the methods of a whore?“, “Proverbs 7:17 – What perfumed bed should you run away from fast?“, “Proverbs 7:18 – How can making love all night long be horribly painful?“, “Proverbs 7:18 – The enticing words of a strange woman; reject her invitation to hell!“, “Proverbs 7:21 – How can a woman force a man to yield?“, “Proverbs 8:12 – What is the source of witty inventions?“, “Proverbs 9:8 – Why should you not waste your time with a scorner?“, “Proverbs 9:17 – Why are stolen waters sweet? and who uses such reasoning?“, “Proverbs 10:4 – How can a weak handshake indicate that a person is lazy?“, “Proverbs 10:5 – America is the land of opportunity, but you must take advantage of it!“, “Proverbs 10:19 – Do you know what grows in proportion to the words you speak?“, “Proverbs 11:16 – What is the simple and sure way for a woman to always be desired?“, “Proverbs 11:24 – Do you want some economic wisdom never taught at Harvard?“, “Proverbs 11:26 – Is cornering a market a great business skill, or evil cruelty?“, “Proverbs 12:4 – There is a disease worse than leukemia, because it is not terminal!“, “Proverbs 12:10 – How can you prove your righteousness with a Siamese cat?“, “Proverbs 12:11 – Farming is a real job, unlike many modern “business opportunities”!“, “Proverbs 12:27 – There is a problem when you don’t clean what you got hunting!“, “Proverbs 14:4 – Do you know the “means of production” are taught in the Bible?“, “Proverbs 14:23 – What should you do when someone offers you a “business opportunity”?“, “Proverbs 15:1 – There is a sure way to stop the anger of someone you offend!“, “Proverbs 15:15 – It is possible for your life to be a continual feast!“, “Proverbs 15:28 – What should you say when you don’t know the answer to a question?“, “Proverbs 16:2 – There is nothing worse than self-righteousness! Consider it well.“, “Proverbs 16:9 – How can you and the Lord find the perfect husband?“, “Proverbs 16:31 – What makes gray hair a crown of glory to a man or woman?“, “Proverbs 17:1 – When is a saltine cracker better than a filet mignon dinner?“, “Proverbs 17:2 – Is discrimination a real problem, or just an excuse?“, “Proverbs 18:13 – Does conversation activate your tongue more than your ears?“, “Proverbs 19:13 – How can a wife be like a Chinese water torture?“, “Proverbs 20:14 – Did you know it is possible to pay too little for some things?“, “Proverbs 21:9 – Why do some men always find reasons to stay away from home?“, “Proverbs 22:6 – It is possible to guarantee the future success of your children!“, “Proverbs 22:11 – There is an easy way to win the powerful people in your life!“, “Proverbs 19:11 – You can become glorious by learning to pass over offences!“, “Proverbs 22:15 – Foolishness is a genetic fault in children, but there is an antidote!“, “Proverbs 22:21 – Absolute truth is in the world, and it is found only in the Bible!“, “Proverbs 23:5 – Does your money grow wings and fly away? What should you do?“, “Proverbs 23:31 – What does it mean not to look on wine when it is red?“, “Proverbs 25:15 – Do you know how to persuade those in power over you?“, “Proverbs 25:17 – After three days, dead fish stink; so do visitors staying too long!“, “Proverbs 26:8 – Giving attention to a fool is like hitting yourself in the head!“, “Proverbs 26:27 – What goes around comes around; believe it!“, “Proverbs 27:8 – You are a lost bird, if you want to change your role in life!“, “Proverbs 27:18 – Want to get promoted? Keep the fig tree for your employer!“, “Proverbs 27:23 – Watch your business closely, it could get away from you!“, “Proverbs 28:9 – If you don’t like preaching, your prayers will not be heard!“, “Proverbs 30:17 – Rolling your eyes at your parents is a horrible crime!“, “Proverbs 30:25 – Are you as smart as an ant? They know how to save!“, “Proverbs 31:2 – Behind every great man there is a great woman – his mother!“, “Proverbs 31:2 – Behind every great man there is a great woman – his mother!“, “Proverbs 31:22 – The virtuous woman is a great cooker and a great looker!“, “Proverbs 31:30 – Wives can be chosen three ways – two are foolish, but one is foolproof!Proverbs 20:14 – Did you know it is possible to pay too little for some things?Proverbs 30:17 – Rolling your eyes at your parents is a horrible crime!Proverbs 31:2 – Behind every great man there is a great woman – his mother!

Does the KJV have Contradictions?Those who love modern versions of the Bible look for “contradictions” in the King James Version. Their favorite “contradiction” is Ahaziah’s age when he became king. Little do they know that this “contradiction” contains hidden wisdom for humble believers. Little do they know they have introduced a serious contradiction in their own versions. Have fun with this case study! Be thankful you do not have a seminary degree (Matt 11:25-26)!

Christian LibertyBalance is merely compromise, unless God defines the balance! The Bible and true Christianity are very strict where God has spoken, but they protect personal freedom in all other matters. Do you know God’s balance? Do you earnestly contend for the apostolic faith but allow men their preferences in all other things? Pharisees in all denominations make rules about personal things that God left up to you. But the truth allows great freedom and liberty in such things.

Once Saved, Always Saved“Once saved, always saved” is a popular mantra of easy-believism that turns God’s grace into lasciviousness by promising eternal life to those with ungodly lives. It has no Biblical basis as it is commonly used. The God of heaven will not lose a single one of His elect, but the concept of “once saved, always saved,” based on decisional regeneration that obligates God rather than God’s work of grace leading to godly evidence, is wrong in both phrases.

Divorce and dysfunctional marriages are everywhere. Parents want their children to do better than they did. God created love, marriage, and sex. He knows more about these things than all counselors and sociologists combined. Here are score sheets from the Bible for men and women. Measure a few friends to get the feel. Let the scoring criteria and their definitions provoke conversation. Parents, do not violate the pass/fail rule (Pr 31:30).

For Ministers Only!Updated Weekly
The churches of Jesus Christ depend on faithful ministers working hard to defend the truth and oppose the world. For this reason, God inspired three Pastoral Epistles from Paul’s pen. With many pastors compromising today, as they rush to scratch the itching ears of worldly Christians, there is a need to remember the solemn duties charged to them at ordination (I Tim 6:13-16; II Tim 3:1 – 4:5). This web document, an online minister’s handbook, will be updated weekly with one more reminder from the Bible to provoke the soldiers in Christ’s kingdom.

Denominational Survey of Baptism
Jesus, Mary, and the apostles were Baptists. John the Baptist baptized them all. When you are immersed by a Baptist preacher, especially one named John the Baptist, you are a Baptist! There were no Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Methodists, Campbellites, Russellites, Pentecostals, Mormons, or other manmade denominations. Do you care enough about truth to check your baptism by this simple test of five rules? You should.

Every Word of God
Jesus said we must live by every word of God (Luke 4:4). Do you have a word-perfect Bible? Book publishers crank out a new Bible version every few months to pad their income statements, but each one has different words! Pastors tell more and more stories with less and less scripture in fewer and fewer minutes. The words of God are being lost and wasted. Jesus and Paul argued and preached from single words, so you better have a Bible that preservers each word and a pastor that preaches each word.

Seven Proofs of Unconditional Salvationhow are you saved? Did God save you by free grace? Or did you save yourself by some act? Or did you do something to cooperate with God and make Jesus Christ’s work effective for you? There are only two ways a sinner can be saved. Either God saves him unconditionally as a free gift of His grace, or he must do something in order to obtain it for himself. There is no other choice. All religions and doctrines are either unconditional or conditional. Either man does nothing for his salvation, or he must do something.

Should Christians Tithe?A growing fad among some Christians is to deny tithing. Since there are no specific directions for tithing in the New Testament, they rejoice that they can skip this duty. So they leap on the no-tithing bandwagon and roll out their rabid rhetoric. It is time to take off their wheels and let the water of God’s word overwhelm them.

Do You Know My King?Do you have 6 minutes and 38 seconds to rejoice in praise about the Lord Jesus Christ? Here is a Baptist pastor that loved to praise Jesus Christ. S.M. Lockridge (his initials stand for Shadrach Meshach) was the pastor of CalvaryBaptistChurch in San Diego from 1953 to 1993. While we cannot and do not endorse everything he believed or taught, we do appreciate this introduction to the Lord Jesus Christ as King!

A Mighty Man’s Life
Men! Have the thorns of jobs, riches, and pleasures choked out all desire for true success (Luke 8:14)? What have you accomplished today other than moving one day closer to death? When are you going to wake up and be a mighty man for the Lord? Save yourself from the bitter agony of a wasted life.

The Bible BabelWhat do the Tower of Babel and modern Bible versions have in common? In both places God confounded the efforts of men who exalted their abilities and ideas over the word of God. He left them babbling in both places. If you want to see how confused and ignorant so-called Bible scholars are, take a look at their translating efforts of I Samuel 13:1. There is a Bible version that has been trusted for 400 years and can still be fully trusted today. Buy it! Read it! Trust it! Demand it!

Perilous Times of the Last Days
The greatest threat to the kingdom of Jesus Christ today is carnal, compromising, effeminate, and worldly Christianity. False teachers promote it on every side. The cure is simple, but few ministers will use it, since most hearers are demanding fables and entertainment instead. The importance of this prophecy cannot be overstated. You are living in the fulfillment of the perilous times!

Did Jesus Make Wine for a Wedding Feast?
Jesus had to deal with men in His day who enforced manmade rules in the name of religious tradition and self-righteousness – they were the scribes and Pharisees. The leaven (doctrine) of the Pharisees is still around today. Men condemn any use of wine or other alcoholic beverages and try to twist the Bible to support their manmade tradition. Here is the Bible refutation of an article by a respected teacher against the use of wine.

Is the NKJV the word of God?Most who use the New King James Version believe they are using a modern edition of the King James Version, because that is what Thomas Nelson Publishers wants them to believe. But the NKJV will condemn itself quite easily as not being the word of God or the KJV! Remember, the closer a counterfeit is to the original, the more difficult it is to identify as a fraud. If man must live by every word of God, we do not want to lose a single one (Luke 4:4).

The Witness of 70ADJesus Christ is Lord! There is no single greater evidence or proof of the divine origin of Christianity, the great glory and power of the Lord Jesus Christ as King of the kingdom of God, and the accuracy and reliability of the Bible than the prophecies and their fulfillments regarding the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies under Titus in 70 AD.

Forgotten SinsDo you know all the sins God hates? Or have you forgotten a few? What about emulations, prognostication, debate, purloining, and surfeiting? Jesus said if you break even the least of His commandments and teach men it is okay, you are the least in the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:19). Many sins have been forgotten, because (1) men focus on sensational sins, (2) Pharisees overlook any sins of the heart, (3) society does not condemn them any longer, and (4) many of the English words are no longer used or understood. If you want to please your Father in heaven, here are some sins you ought to carefully avoid.

When Was Cornelius Saved?Did Peter save Cornelius? By preaching? Or by baptism? Or did God save Cornelius by free grace in Jesus Christ, and Peter only told him about it? The record of Cornelius in Acts 10 is an inspired account of the first official Gentile conversion. Most today think that eternal life hinges on a decision made for Jesus during the repeated singing of “Just As I Am.” But Peter did not give an invitation, and they did not sing a funeral dirge played on an organ. Cornelius was accepted with God and born again long before meeting Peter. Read about it, and get the Bible order of salvation established in your mind.

Justification According to the BibleHow sinners are made just and righteous before God is of great importance. Both Arminians and Calvinists claim sinners must believe before God will justify them. We hold that justification is by Jesus Christ alone, just as our Baptist ancestors did in the 1600s. Read this worthy explanation by Samuel Richardson from 1647.

Self-Esteem Is Sick and SinfulThe Bible has all the answers that modern psychiatrists and psychologists keep trying to find, but they never will (II Tim 3:6-7). The Bible condemns self-love and self-esteem as arrogance, pride, self-will, and vanity, among other sins. Bible believers have known this for thousands of years, but recently a few scientists have confessed that the Bible is right after all. We could have saved them a lot of time and expense, but you cannot teach an educated man (Prov 26:12; I Cor 1:19-20; 3:19-20; II Tim 3:6-7).

Why I Believe the BibleThe world is full of competing holy books of various religions, but only one has the inspired words of Jehovah, the true and living God of heaven. The internal proofs for the Bible are more than sufficient to prove it is God’s word to a man with faith. Christianity did not originate and then produce a holy book. Christianity is the religion of an inspired book – the Bible. The Bible came first, and without it we would know nothing about Jesus Christ or His religion.

Is God the author of confusion?
The answer may surprise you! Yes, God will confuse anyone who approaches Him wrongly. And He has written the Bible to confuse most men and reveal the truth to His elect.”

“Do you have a word-perfect Bible?Jesus and the apostles had word-perfect Bibles, and they had never seen or heard of so-called originals. Does your pastor have a word-perfect Bible? If not, how does he preach the truth to you? If not, how do you check his doctrine?”

“Does God accept contemporary worship?How can He? He burned Nadab and Abihu and killed Uzzah for slight modifications. He demands worship with reverence and godly fear, for our God is still a consuming fire.“, “Proverb 16:4Why is there evil? Why do you exist? Why are ostriches so stupid? Why is the universe here? Where did we come from? Get a Masters degree in true philosophy by understanding this glorious Proverb!” ); Stop hiding –>

Is God the author of confusion?The answer may surprise you! Yes, God will confuse anyone who approaches Him wrongly. And He has written the Bible to confuse most men and reveal the truth to His elect.

In order to serve you for Christ’s sake, we have prepared questions to provoke your study of God’s word. He commanded us to prove all things (I Thess 5:21), and He praised those who search for Bible answers (Acts 17:11). These questions provoked us in the past to seek God’s answers, and we hope they will do the same for you. And if your pastor loves and preaches the truth, we love and pray for him.

“There are many signs in the heavens and the earth which they pass by; yet they pay no attention to them.” (Surah Yusuf, ayah 105)

Day One: ‘Disrespecting the Qur’ân: Girl turns into a lizard-like creature’ reads a caption. It has occurred somewhere in India. Girl was listening to music while Mom read the Qur’ân. She ignored Mom’s calls to turn-off the music.

Day Two: A local radio station presenter mentions the ‘incident’ fuelling more curiosity. A caller requests the website address where the ‘creature’ is posted. He wants to show this creature to his children as a lesson.

Day Three: A preacher uses the story to deliver a mimbar ‘lesson’

Day Four: The girl was watching TV

Day Five: Images (semi-nude) of the creature are posted on a masjid board to give musallees a ‘lesson with visual aids’.

Day Six: SkyNews reports of a hospital in India stormed by a riotous mob, curious to catch a glimpse of the girl-turned-lizard-like creature. Regardless, an Arabic website carries the image of the ‘lizard-girl’

Day Seven: Someone provides a web-link of the source page of the ‘creature’

Day Eight: The incident did not happen in India but in Oman

Day Nine: The Arabic website offers an apology for misleading the public. In other words, the matter is a hoax!

The Jamiatul Ulama is deeply concerned at the rate at which we are looking for ‘miracles’ to prove the validity of Islâm and its symbols such as the Qur’ân and so on.

While there are more than enough signs of Allâh’s Might and Wisdom within our own bodies and in the environment around us, the propensity to clutch on ‘miraculous’ occurrences and stories, regardless of their veracity is on the rise. Is it a symptom of the malaise and hopelessness in the Ummah? Is it a sign of growing inferiority complex?

Others have used numerology. Yet others catch snapshots of the kalimah or the name of Allâh curved in tree branches, on fish, on newborn foreheads, in clouds and so on. Recently, it was the tsunami waves which ‘read’ Allâh as they hit a South-East Asian beach. All this is said to prove the authenticity of our Dîn and its symbols.

Miracles do happen and indeed they point to the Majesty of the Almighty. However, it does not behove a believer to demand of them. That would border on disbelief. The Qur’ân is full of stories of generations who would demand a miracle as a sign but once the sign was given, it drove them deeper into disbelief. May the Almighty protect us.

The converse is also food for thought. If something does not happen to a desecrater of the Qur’ân (Guantanamo, Afghanistan, etc), does it mean (Allâh forbid) the Power of Allâh has failed? Would we doubt the existence of the Almighty then?

In one of the e-mails received on the story in question, one sender labelled the forwarding “unconfirmed.” This ‘unconfirmed’ tag should be the very reason for NOT forwarding such things through e-mails and other media lest we steep into cheap rumour-mongering!

When we send around stories like these, we portray of ourselves as people ready to jump on anything to ‘prove’ the validity of Islam and its symbols. Over time, we will not have anything but ‘miracles’ just as people of other faiths have become. Furthermore we risk clutching on something (possibly digitally-manipulated or otherwise) to prove that Islam is genuine only to discover later that it was all a hoax as has been the case in this ‘lizard’ story. Wouldn’t we playing into the hands of those bent at tarnishing the image of Islam?

It is therefore our appeal to all to stick to our heritage of what is sober, clean and elegant such as our own beautiful stories from the Qur’ân, Sunnah and the illustrious predecessors.

Let us leave all that digital manipulation bordering on vices such as nudity or other forms of indecency and stick to the pure and wholesome.

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(Disclaimer: Jamiatul Ulama is not responsible for content appearing on external links which are used for reference only and should not be misconstrued as endorsement of those links’ or websites’ ideas, beliefs or content.)